Life Is So Good: One Man's Extraordinary Journey through the 20th Century and How he Learned to Read at Age 98 [Paperback]

George Dawson (Author), Richard Glaubman (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 1, 2001

In this remarkable book, 103-year-old George Dawson, a slave's grandson who learned to read at age 98, reflects on his life and offers valuable lessons in living as well as a fresh, firsthand view of America during the twentieth century. Richard Glaubman captures Dawson's irresistible voice and view of the world, offering insights into humanity, history, hardships, and happiness. From segregation and civil rights, to the wars, presidents, and defining moments in history, George Dawson's description and assessment of the last century inspires readers with the message that-through it all-has sustained him: "Life is so good. I do believe it's getting better."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A 101-year-old retired laborer who enrolled in a literacy class near his Dallas, Tex., home at the age of 98, George Dawson now reads and writes on a third-grade level. From Dawson's eloquent words, co-writer Glaubman, a Seattle elementary school teacher, has fashioned two engrossing stories. First is the inspiring saga of how someone who was the grandson of a slave managed to navigate the brutally segregated small Texas town of Marshall, where Dawson was born, without losing his integrity or enjoyment of life. Although he worked from an early age and was never able to attend school, Dawson credits his strong family, especially his father, for giving him the skills to survive. His father told him to work hard, to do no wrong and always to avoid trouble with white people--advice that was brutally underscored the day he and his father witnessed a white mob lynching a black neighbor. The other theme running through these recollections is the institutionalized racism of the American South. Hardened to the entrenched discrimination that excluded him from good jobs and "white" restaurants and rest rooms, Dawson protested just once, when a woman for whom he was doing yard work expected him to eat with her dogs. Despite the harsh conditions of his life, he considers himself fortunate to have enjoyed food, housing, friends and family (he has outlived four wives and fathered seven children). This is an astonishing and unforgettable memoir. Agent, Harriet Wasserman. (Feb.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Dawson, a black manual laborer who learned to read at age 98, has written a memoir that stands apart from other end-of-the-century texts and from the history generally recorded in textbooks--but is essential to an accurate understanding of this century. The product of a collaboration between Dawson and high school history teacher Glaubman, the book juxtaposes significant events of the century with Dawson's personal experiences. Although he endured hardship, Dawson's positive philosophy sustained him to a ripe old age. Written in a simple, conversational style, this volume will be valuable for general readers and in college classes. A welcome addition to any academic or public library.
---Theresa McDevitt, Indiana Univ. of Pennsylvania
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Books; Reissue edition (June 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0141001682
• ISBN-13: 978-0141001685
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (166 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,620 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #46 in Books > History > Africa
  • #55 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > African-American & Black

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

93 of 96 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Share this with friends and family February 7, 2000

By Karen

Format:Hardcover

I originally bought 2 copies and am now ordering 9 more copies. There is so much wisdom in this book. It is a primer on life. It goes beyond "Tuesdays with Morrie". George Dawson is so positive and upbeat. I agree with the previous reviewer that this should be mandatory reading in schools, but I would lower the grades to Junior High School and maybe even 5th and 6th graders. George gives us a black man's perspective of life in the South in the first half of the 1900's. He also gives us an excellent work ethic and model for living. White and black children alike would benefit from the historical perspective. We all can benefit from his little philosophical statements here and there. I had lots of smiles while reading this, plus many tears. I remember the South (I'm white) when bathrooms, drinking fountains and restaurants were segregated. I was a child from California, to whom this was foreign. George brings these memories back, but in a non-judgemental way. He experienced the introduction of cars and airplanes, as well as the tragedy at Columbine High School. Through out, he has respect for others and a tolerance for differing perspectives. Buy this book. Read it, and then pass it on. Share it with your children. Discuss the contents. George Dawson has truly given us all a remarkable gift.

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Life is Good January 29, 2000

By William K. Hill

Format:Hardcover

The reader is immediately introduced to life in east Texas through the eyes of a young black boy named George Dawson. At the age of ten, George is an eyewitness to the lynching of an innocent black teenager, who happens to be his friend, by an angry mob of local white men. This lynching is only the beginning of a well documented story of how life really was for a black living in the south . George has no chance to attend school, since his labor is needed to help support the family, but this does not deter George from having a positive outlook on life. Through out the book, George always is able to find a bright side and give thanks for what most people take for granted. At an early age, George is instructed by his father how black are expected to "respect" whites and not to ever do business with them. It is not until George is almost 100 years old does he finally break away from everything his father taught him and decides to do business with Richard Glaubman, the author of this book. We are very fortunate that George does decide to let Mr. Glaubman write of his life as the reader, especially white readers, finally see how life was for a black growing up in America from 1898 until the present. At the age of 98, George is able to start school and finally fulfill his life long desire to read. George is an inspiration to anyone who reads this book and Mr. Glaubman does an excellent job in documenting George's work and travel. His interaction with George, both as a friend and an author, helps to break the barrier of whites and blacks that has been instilled in George since his early childhood. I feel grateful that I read an article in THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE about Mr. Dawson as I immediately ordered the book and read it at once. This reviewer feels that this book should be on the mandatory reading list for all high school students, in hope that it would help the reader learn how to interact with others who may be different and most important that "LIFE IS SO GOOD".

66 of 70 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Ninety years later, I still don't like peppermint." March 12, 2000

By taking a rest HALL OF FAME

Format:Hardcover

The quote that titles this review is written at the end of chapter one. It is a chapter that were it to be isolated as a short story, it would make the final list for any awards in that category.

There is no book I can compare this to, but if you take the wisdom of "Tuesday's With Morrie" and the struggles and triumph of the human spirit of "Angela's Ashes", you begin to approach this book, the story of the life of Mr. George Dawson.

Mr. Dawson started school when he was 98 years old. He is now approaching 102 and continues to work for his High School Equivalency Degree. It is difficult to describe this man, as he has no peers who have shared his 102 year life. Four wives shared parts of his life, but Mr. Dawson continues to live after they all have passed away. Mr. Dawson does note that many women would like to marry him now, and he has not ruled the possibility out.

What is Mr. Dawson like? In the book he muses as to why people say everything tastes like chicken, as an example Rattlesnake. However no one ever says anything tastes like Rattlesnake. Mr. Dawson is not "like" anybody. He is unlike anyone you know, anyone you have read about, he is an original, one of a kind. Every day that his life advances he becomes more unique, more of a treasure.

The final chapters of this book are as dramatic as the first. Mr. Dawson has a decision to make, a decision that either will allow this book to become a reality, or for his life to remain kept only to those who have known him. To make this decision he relies upon advice his Father had given him as a young man. His Father followed this advice throughout his own 99 year life, and as Mr. Dawson states, "between my Father and I it worked for over 200 years".

This is an astonishing story of a man who lived every year of the 20th century, a bit of the 19th, and is now exploring the 21st.

The book tells a story that is remarkable, as the story it shares is of a life that has taken part in 3 centuries.

A book that will make your all-time favorite list!